AfriGeneas Free Persons of Color Forum

Marker to honor FPOC in VA

HIGHWAY MARKER HONORING FREE PEOPLE OF COLOR
TO BE UNVEILED IN THOROUGHFARE (aka BROAD RUN), VA,
OCTOBER 10, 2004

On Sunday, October 10, 2004, at 2 pm, the Prince William
County Historical Commission will unveil a highway marker
commemorating the free and freed people of color (African
American, Native American, and mixed-identity), who founded
Thoroughfare, now part of Broad Run, Virginia, after the
Civil War. The petition for the marker was spearheaded by
descendants of the Thoroughfare founders. Four years ago,
Lillian Gaskill, then-Chair of the Commission, brought the
request to the attention of Commission members. Current
Vice-Chair, Jim Burgess, shepherded the submission to final
approval. The marker will be unveiled on the south side of
John Marshall Highway, between Thoroughfare Road and the
railroad tracks, across from the Broad Run Grocery.

A tentative program of one hour will feature the pastor of
Oakrum Baptist Church and the church choir, as well as
remarks by Prince William County Supervisors, members of the
Historical Commission, and descendants of the families whose
names are included on the marker. For more information,
contact Victoria Price, at vlpwolf@aol.com.

PROGRAM

2:00 Invocation by Pastor Jones of Oakrum Baptist Church
2:10 County Supervisorsí Remarks: